Spring may be a long way off but that doesn't mean the winter blues need to get you down.  Draw yourself a warm bath, close your eyes, and take a sip of this coconut water mojito (delicious with or without alcohol) to instantly transport yourself to a tropical beach. Coconut water is rich in vitamins and minerals but palm trees are also treated liberally with pesticides meaning that your coconut water may also be rich in chemicals such as carbabmates, pyrethroids and organochlorine. When making this drink be sure to choose organic coconut water to reduce your exposure to pesticides!

The Research

Palm trees used to produce coconuts are often treated with by way of foliar sprays and trunk injections. Despite the intensive use of dangerous pesticides for coconut cultivation in South East Asia and South America, few governments have established maximum levels of pesticide residues for coconut water.  A recent study published in Microchemical Journal aimed to quantify the presence of residues from these chemicals in coconut water that may be a risk to consumer health. Three different brands (not specified in the study) of coconut water from commercial markets as well as fresh coconut water were tested for pesticide residues.  Researchers found residues from 19 different pesticides including carbamate, pyrethroid, and organochlorine pesticides, across all sampled coconut waters. The highest concentrations of pesticide residues were found in the three brands of coconut water compared to the fresh coconut water. The authors suspect that coconut palms grown commercially for coconut water retail are treated more heavily with chemicals to increase production.

Photo credit: Ines Hegedus-Garcia

The Recipe

Makes 1 drink

Ingredients

• 1 sprig of fresh mint plus another for garnish
• 2 tbs organic fresh lime juice
• 1 tbs organic sugar (add a little more if you prefer a sweeter beverage)
• 1 oz white rum (optional)
• 12 oz organic coconut water
• ice

Directions

Muddle 1 sprig of fresh mint with lime juice and sugar in the bottom of a glass.  Add rum and coconut water. Stir to mix.  Add ice, Garnish drink with the second sprig of mint and enjoy!